What Is CBD Oil?

Are you considering trying CBD oil? Here’s what you need to know about this substance before you use it for the first time.

When most people get the suggestion of taking cannabidiol, their first instinct is to reject it just out of stigma. “Weed, no way, I’m not taking that.”

That’s pretty much how most people will react at first. That said, it’s important to realize that cannabidiol isn’t weed, well, not quite at least.

Cannabidiol, which can also be called hemp oil, is one half of the duo that makes up marijuana. The other half is tetrahydrocannabinol, often shortened to THC. THC is the compound that causes psychoactive effects, the “high” that people get when smoking pot.

As marijuana has continually become more accepted (and legal) around the world, doctors and scientists alike have begun to explore the medical applications of it, especially of CBD, seeing as it holds the same benefits as regular marijuana but without causing psychoactive effects.

Today we’re going to give you a full overview of CBD oil and teach you everything you need to know about it.

What Are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are chemical components of plants in the cannabis family. At least 60 different cannabinoids have been discovered, and some sources indicate that there are over 113 cannabinoids.

THC is the most famous cannabinoid, and this substance is responsible for the “high” that people experience when they ingest marijuana. Recreational and medical marijuana have been bred to have high levels of THC, but this substance is addictive, and it can impair your judgment.

Most cannabinoids bind to natural cannabinoid receptors in the brain, and they all have different effects. Scientists continue to research cannabinoids to learn about the potential that these substances pose in the treatment of a variety of diseases.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has received a lot of attention in recent years. This cannabinoid is not psychoactive, which means that it doesn’t cause the hallucinogenic or mind-altering effects associated with THC. Cannabidiol is present both in cannabis flowers and in hemp, but it is present in much higher quantities in cannabis flowers than in any other part of the cannabis plant.

Cannabis horticulturalists have selectively bred certain strains of cannabis to be rich in CBD and low in THC, and CBD can be isolated from the cannabis plant using a variety of extraction methods.

CBD has gained in popularity due to its widely publicized effectiveness in treating rare types of seizures, and it appears that CBD is also effective in treating a number of other conditions.

Because of its association with marijuana, CBD has a questionable legal status around the world. However, most developed countries make it possible for consumers to use CBD in some form, and cannabidiol is on its way to being normalized as conventional treatment.

How Is CBD Extracted?

Hemp is the least processed form from the cannabis plant. Hemp holds most of the CBD that is used medically.

Marijuana and hemp both come from the exact same plant—cannabis sativa—but the two substances are very different. Those who farm marijuana have often done so with the intent of increasing the THC levels in their yield. In contrast, those farming hemp rarely tried to alter the structure of the plant, making hemp plants more suitable for the creation of CBD oil.

CBD is usually separated from cannabis using CO2 extraction, but a variety of other extraction methods may also be used. It’s important to note, however, that certain extraction methods, such as butane extraction, leave dangerous contaminants in CBD oil.

Once CBD has been extracted, it usually forms a viscous oil. In some cases, CBD manufacturers may be able to extract this substance in a solid slab.

What Types of CBD Oil Are There?

The CBD oil market is predominantly divided into full-spectrum and isolate oils. The main constituent part of full-spectrum oils is CBD, but these extracts also have trace amounts of other terpenes and cannabinoids that are naturally present in the cannabis plant. Research has indicated that CBD is more effective when paired with other cannabinoids, which has led some CBD enthusiasts to believe that this full-spectrum CBD oil is the best option.

Isolate CBD oil, on the other hand, contains nothing aside from CBD. In many cases, isolate CBD oil is colorless while full-spectrum CBD oil is a rich brown. The main advantage of isolate CBD is that it does not contain even trace amounts of THC. Most governments allow tiny amounts of THC to be present in CBD products, but eliminating even the faintest hint of this substance may lessen legal liability.

How to Use CBD Oil

Using CBD oil can be a bit tricky at first. The production of these products is not regulated, which means that the purity and dosage can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Additionally, while research on the effects of CBD oil has certainly ramped up in recent years, more studies need to be conducted in order to conclude dosing information. Furthermore, every person is different; a smaller potency and dosage may be effective for treating severe pain in one person, but someone who is experiencing more moderate pain might need a higher potency and dosage to feel any effects. With that said, your best bet is to experiment to find the right potency and dosage for your needs. We always recommend starting lower and working your way up as needed. For example, if you find that a low potency and small dosage isn’t sufficient, you can always increase the amount that you are taking. There are also a number of ways that you can use CBD oil, with the topical and oral applications being the most popular. If you decide to take it orally, you can simply apply a drop or two under your tongue, and if you opt to apply it topically, you can apply it directly to the affected area that you are attempting to treat and work it in. Other CBD products that are available include edibles, such as gummies, candy bars, chocolates, and gum; vaping oils (inhalation), as well as lotions and creams. Try different options out to see what works best for you. As more research is conducted, it’s almost guaranteed that more options will become available. It truly is an exciting time for natural and effective pain relief!

CBD vs. Marijuana: what’s the difference?

For most of the history of marijuana, THC was the most studied compound within it. That should come as no surprise seeing as it’s the more active ingredient in comparison to CBD.

Marijuana is made up of both CBD and THC, but the compounds have drastically different effects on the human body. When THC is smoked or added to a dish such as brownies, its psychoactive compound will produce the high that most people referred to as “being stoned.”

The reason that smoking or baking produces the high is the fact that THC will be activated and broken down when a heat source such as an oven or lighter is introduced. CBD, on the other hand, isn’t a psychoactive compound.

This means it won’t alter the state of mind of the person taking it. That said, it will make some physical alterations to the rest of the body. Luckily, research has shown that the effect it has on your body is actually good, and can be used medicinally.

Is CBD Oil Safe?

CBD is generally considered to be well-tolerated in human subjects. This means that CBD has practically negligible side effects, and it does not appear to be inherently toxic.

However, since the CBD is industry is largely unregulated, individual manufacturers of CBD oil are free to sell products of whichever quality they wish. Some CBD oils are made from organic, non-GMO cannabis that’s free from toxins, but others aren’t. Instead of assuming that the CBD you buy is safe, thoroughly question the company about their extraction and production processes.

The Effects of CBD on the Body

CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which receives and identifies messages that are sent by cannabinoids. The main function of the ECS is to assist the body with adapting to external stressors; for example, it triggers the immune system to react to infections and it regulates the body’s response to inflammation and pain. Cannabinoids can be broken down into two different categories: endocannabinoids are those that the body produces naturally, and phytocannabinoids are those that come from plants. Many types of plants contain cannabinoids, but obviously, in this case, the phytocannabinoids that we are referring to come from the cannabis plant. CBD replicates the cannabinoids that your body naturally produces, and as such it triggers the body to produce more endocannabinoids. In other words, CBD serves as a supplement for encocannabinoid production. The ECS system contains two types – CB1 and CB2 receptors – and they are located throughout various parts of the body, including the nervous, reproductive, immune, and digestive system. Since CBD enhances the production of endocannabinoids, it also enhances the functions of all of these systems. It is for this reason that CBD oil is often referred to as a natural “cure-all”.

What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil?

CBD appears to be highly beneficial for a number of conditions. If you have any of the following conditions, you may want to try CBD oil:

Inflammation

CBD appears to be a novel treatment for inflammation. Since some scientists believe that inflammation is the root cause of all types of disease, reducing inflammation by using CBD may improve your overall health.

Most people rely on prescription drugs to relieve pain and stiffness. Some people even become dependent on them for treating chronic pain.

That said, there are many who believe that CBD is a better option seeing as its more natural. A particular study that was published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine proved that regular intake of CBD severely reduced the level of pain and chronic inflammation in rats and mice.

The scientists concluded that CBD could be a great way to yield the benefits that marijuana holds when treating chronic pain but without having to deal with the issues of introducing a psychoactive substance such as THC.

Anxiety

In rat models, CBD appears to exert remarkable anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects.

Historically, doctors have advised against the use of cannabis for people who suffer from chronic anxiety. This was due to the fact that THC could amplify or trigger feelings of paranoia and anxiousness in the patient.

That said, researchers who authored a paper on the subject found that CBD, when used alone and without THC, could actually reduce anxiety for people who suffer from various mental disorders. The scientists continued, saying that more conventional treatments will often yield the same efficacy in treating anxiety but will bring new symptoms to the table which could make things worse for the patient.

Patients who suffer from the side effects of prescription drugs are also less likely to continue treatment, whereas those taking CBD will get the same effect on their anxiety but without the side effects that would discourage them from sticking to the treatment.

Further studies on the effect that CBD has on anxiety are currently being conducted, and as more of them are completed, we’ll be given a clearer picture of how effective CBD is in treating anxiety.

Cancer

Various researchers have come to the conclusion that CBD could actually be an effective way to fight cancer. There was recently a paper published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology that provided evidence of CBD and its ability to inhibit the spreading of various types of cancer.

The scientists who authored the paper also said that CBD could suppress the growth of these cancer cells and make it easier for them to be destroyed through conventional means such as chemotherapy. The paper also noted that CBD is comparably low in toxins in comparison to other cancer treatment options, warranting further research and potential clinical application in the next decade.

CBD may be a non-invasive and non-toxic treatment for cancer. The effects of CBD have been investigated in relation to cancers of the brain, bladder, breast, colon, endocrine system, lung, prostate, and skin, and this natural substance appears to show promise in the reduction of tumor size and the halting of tumor progression.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is often caused by uncontrolled inflammation, which means that CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects should reduce pain in most patients. A study found that, while CBD and THC together produce the best results, CBD as a monotherapy also reduces chronic pain.

Depression

CBD appears to have potent anti-depressive effects. Scientists postulate that these effects could be due to CBD’s interaction with the brain’s 5-HT(1A) receptors, which govern serotonin reuptake.

Schizophrenia

Scientific research has confidently concluded that CBD exerts anti-psychotic effects, which may make it a promising natural treatment for schizophrenia.

Epilepsy

A diverse array of studies have been conducted to confirm the widely-reported anti-seizure effects exerted by CBD.

Addiction

There have been various studies suggesting that the use of CBD could actually make it easier for people to quit smoking. There was a study in Addictive Behaviors, and it found that those who were trying to quit smoking had better results when using CBD inhalers.

Their cravings disappeared and as result was able to smoke fewer cigarettes and even quit altogether. There was a separate but similar study that got published in Neurotherapeutics which found that, beyond cigarettes, CBD could also be an effective way to help people escape addiction to opioids.

They also noted that CBD can alleviate some of the symptoms that come with substance abuse. These include pain, insomnia, mood swings, and anxiety. There have also been studies suggesting that CBD could reduce or even prevent the symptoms of withdrawal, making it far easier for those with drug addiction to kick the habit.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. The symptoms associated with it occur when the immune system begins attacking the cells in the pancreas, specifically those responsible for producing insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels and perhaps even hyperglycemic shock.

A 2016 study in the Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation medical journal saw that CBD could actually reduce the inflammation of the pancreas which will stimulate the production of insulin, thus nullifying the symptoms.

Things to Consider

Always make sure that you choose your CBD oil from a reputable manufacturer. As mentioned, the production of these products is not regulated. Therefore, in order to yield the most positive results, it is highly advisable to use products from a manufacturer that has received stellar reviews and offers full disclosure regarding their extraction process and the compounds that their CBD oil are mixed with.

Top-Rated CBD Brands

Should You Use CBD Oil?

There are very few risks associated with CBD oil. Practically every relevant scientific CBD study has concluded that CBD has a remarkably high safety profile, and it isn’t psychoactive.

Some users have concerns about CBD’s legality in the United States, but to date, there have been no cases of individual users being prosecuted for CBD possession.

In rare cases, some individuals may have severe allergic reactions to hemp or CBD oil, and you should discontinue use of CBD immediately if you experience such a reaction.

Generally, however, there is no reason why you shouldn’t try CBD oil if you’re dissatisfied with the conventional treatment methods offered for your condition. Many scientific authorities have identified CBD as a novel new treatment for a plethora of diseases, and some even go so far as to suggest that this substance could be a promising anti-inflammatory panacea.